The bobcat population is growing in Utah according to DWR biologists, which could mean more permits will become available for hunters this fall.

The Utah Wildlife Board made 4,600 permits available for the 2013-2014 season, but mammals coordinator Leslie McFarlane said in a press release sent to the Clipper that the board is going to recommend placing an unlimited number of permits for the 2014-2015 season due to the population growth of bobcats.

The number of permits a hunter or trapper can get will also increase to six for the upcoming season, double the number of permits from last year.

The Bobcat Management Plan has provided biologists with four population performance targets, said McFarlane, and three of those have already been met since last season.

The fourth, an average number of days a trap was set before a bobcat was captured, still hasn’t been met. The times between traps has decreased in the past four seasons, however, so there is optimism among biologists that the fourth target will be met soon.

“As long as two or more of the targets are met the total number of permits doesn’t need to be capped,” McFarlane said. “Each trapper or hunter can be allowed to obtain the six permits this season.”

The public meeting for the Northern Region will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the Brigham City Community Center located at 24 N. 300 West in Brigham City.